# NTSB CHI90FA235: Cessna 180, N4547B, Howell, MI, August 18, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1990, 16:19 local (20:19 UTC)
- Place: Howell, MI
- Coordinates: 42.599662, -83.930862 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5997&lon=-83.9309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14547
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90FA235
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14547/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90FA235

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE ABOVE TERRAIN WHILE MANEUVERING DURING TAKEOFF. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO DISPLAY THE AIRCRAFT'S PERFORMANCE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING PREFLIGHT THE AIRPLANE OWNER WAS APPROACHED BY TWO VISITING PILOTS, ONE OF WHOM WAS INTERESTED IN BUYING THE SAME MODEL. AFTER A LENGTHY CONVERSATION, THE OWNER STARTED AND TAXIED. THE VISITORS RADIOED HIM AND ASKED FOR A RIDE. THE ACCIDENT PILOT CONSENTED AND SAID HE WOULD COME BACK FOR PICKUP AFTER A TURN AROUND THE PATTERN. THE AIRPLANE TOOK OFF AND CLIMBED STEEPLY TO A 100-FOOT LEVEL-OFF. AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND 200 FEET, THE AIRPLANE TURNED RIGHT, OPPOSITE THE TRAFFIC PATTERN, AND CIRCLED BACK TO RUNWAY HEADING, THEN INCREASED BANK TO NEAR 90 DEGREES AND MAINTAINED IT UNTIL OUT OF SIGHT OF WITNESSES. THE AIRPLANE LOST ALTITUDE STEADILY FOR ONE HALF TURN TO GROUND CONTACT WHERE IT DRAGGED THE RIGHT WING AND CARTWHEELED. ANGLE OF BANK AT IMPACT WAS ABOUT 30 DEGREES AND RATE OF DESCENT WAS NIL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4547B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4547B-2014-12-17), registration cancelled 2014-12-17, S/N 31446, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31446
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-K 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: R.W. Goff & Dwain Chatterton
- Airport: 3HE, Livingston County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 590 total, 472 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAN, 28 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900818033899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900818033899A), Aug 18, 1990: Cessna 180, Howell, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pulled up steeply on climbout. Made turn and spiral descent. Wing hit caused cartwheel.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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